Log: week 34 / 2018
Some kind of MTV project where a famed vampire ventures into the nu-metal scene and becomes a real rock star. The plot is pretty horrible, effects come off as cheap and the acting isn't really a selling point, but there's a little charm present. It doesn't save the film, but it at least makes it somewhat bearable.
If you're familiar with Wakamatsu's 60s and early 70s work, this film will hold no surprises for you. A clan of young revolutionaries couped up in a small room, doing their best to revolt against the establishment. There are a few nice scenes, but it feels a little too familiar and indistinct compared to his better work.
A food/health doc that starts by stating the stories told are anecdotal ... The Magic Pill hardly stands out from a legion of similar docs, the twist here is that it tries to sell us on fats. I'm sure there are some honest take-aways hidden away in there, but it is so bad that it feels safer to simply distrust the whole of it.
Never watched the original series, but maybe Ritchie was a bit too strict with the source material? The film is a classic spy thriller, but without the inventiveness and visual bravoure you'd expect from a Ritchie film. It's a little quirky and it's somewhat amusing, but it's all quite plain and not all that memorable.Meh.
Pretty decent spy thriller. While the story and setup are hardly original and the cast is a little doubty at times, Branagh gives the film the right amount of flair. Just enough visual panache, just enough tension. It's not an easy film to recommend as there's little that sets it apart, but overall it's well-made and decent.
Part of a series of infotainment documentaries about the war, directed by a couple of very big names. That said, none of these docs are very good. Some of the footage is sure to have historic value, but the films itself are low on content and are little more that cheap propaganda. If war isn't your thing, just skip them.
Absolutely dire and slow musical. Half of the film is just basic singing and dancing in front of an eerily static camera, the other half offers some very simplistic drama about a girl who finds out she was adopted. This film is so elemental that even though it's only 90 minutes long, it's an absolute chore to get through.
Boundless
Documentary about Johnnie To and by extension, the Hong Kong movie scene between 1997 and 2012. Since it's pretty hard getting that information first-hand in the West it was an interesting watch, beyond that this is a pretty basic documentary about To's work and his influence on Hong Kong cinema.
Cheap fantasy flick that wants to latch onto the popularity of Andersen's original story. Sadly this looks like a generic TV-production rather than a serious film. Bad acting, cheap cinematography and horrific special effects make this into quite a chore. Avoid this, unless you're a major fan of romantic fantasy films.
Another mediocre Hong Kong drama mixed with some secondary genres. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai plays a genius doctor who walks through life doing good for others, to the dismay of some. There are some strong moments, but the blend of drama, comedy and thriller elements never finds its footing.
Spectacular Chinese fantasy film, that blends cultural and fantasy elements much in the same way Spirited Away did. The art style is crisp and attractive, the animation is lush and the lore is rich and intruiging. An absolute stunning film that managed to wow me from start to finish.
Ever so slightly better than the first one, but it's still a bit hit and miss. Atkinson seems a more settled into his character this time around, but the Bond parody remains rather stale and the comeyd is very predictable. A few chuckles left and right, but overall this is a disappointing franchise.
Simple thriller that gets a quality injection from Forster and his crew. The plot is rather plain, but the cinematography and soundtrack make it stand out from countless other thrillers. Lively and Clarke are good, but ultimately Forster deserves all the credits for making this a memorable experience.